Blood magic. It is the subject of this unusual and strictly theoretical class of magical education. All of you who are sitting in this classroom today should feel fortunate to be allowed to listen in. It is an especially rare opportunity to participate in such a lecture.

But, of course, you are the future generation of our country’s most trusted mages. Who else, if not you, are deserving to listen to such dangerous knowledge?

Before we carry on, let’s stop for a second and think. Why is blood magic considered the most vile art of all magic, but especially dark magic?

We all have heard rumours and legends surrounding this mysterious magical branch.

We know that those mages who can research this particular school of magic are precious few. Even for today’s class, the tower needed to receive a special authorisation directly from the crown.

Now, there are multiple reasons for such caution. Let me help you understand the deeper implications. In a sense, all magic witnessed by the untrained eye are considered a paradox of nature. Something that goes against the laws of the world itself. Just think about necromancy, for example, which is, needless to say, another taboo on the long list of forbidden magical practices.

Resurrecting the dead to fight by one’s side, to control them and force them to ravage their loved ones’ bodies. It is one of the most disgusting fate a person can suffer in this world.

Committing such heinous acts is undoubtedly an abhorrence to nature. There is little more to explain about this.

While most magic we use can harness the power of the elements or mysticism without overstepping a certain civilizational boundary. Those spells we call forbidden magics are considered the ones who overstep all such boundaries, and in their very essence, endanger or harness the sanctity of life itself.

Blood magic does all of that, and more. Let us look at the cold facts.

A blood mage has the ability to directly take control over the body of a living being by contorting the blood still flowing in their victims’ veins. They are capable of creating living puppets, who they usually force to turn against their own comrades.

Unquestioningly, experiencing such control is an explicitly painful and naturally harmful process for the helpless victim. It is rare for a person who was controlled by blood magic to survive the experience, even after the successful subjugation of the blood mage. The released victims suffer from gruesome internal bleeding and subsequent organ failure. Aside from this unenviable fate, in case of the precious few lucky survivors, most of them tend to eventually go mad and take their own life as a result. All because they witness every horror that their body is forced to commit while being under the influence of blood magic.

This first factor would already be enough to place blood magic on a high level on our forbidden spells list, but this is only the beginning.

A more dangerous element of blood magic is the cruel fact that it is one of the rare chantless magical practices we have so far discovered. While activating the magic needs a certain incantation, after one activated it, there is no further need for any chanting, the rest is all fuelled by imagination and willpower. This property naturally turned blood magic into a most efficient battle magic.

Another dangerous factor is derived from its strange nature. This type of magic can’t be used by utilizing mana. Causing it to be the only known magic that doesn’t rely on magic power, while still not allowing people without magic to wield it. The only way one can fuel the power of blood magic is to burn their own blood in the process, or sacrifice other living beings. While this unique nature of the magic has both advantages and disadvantages, its ominous nature in itself is cause for alert.

Meaning that a blood mage at the very start has doubled the amount of magic casting potential. Since one most not forget, a blood mage is perfectly capable of casting regular, mana based spells beside blood magic.

In fact, blood mages only in desperate circumstances are willing to solely rely on their most powerful ability. After all, without proper sacrifices, blood mages essentially injure, and eventually kill themselves with relying too much on their blood magic.

The true power of blood magic only appears when the battlefield has already reaped their first victims. Mages with such abilities are capable to utilize the blood of fallen people. Fueling it into their evil spells. What is most terrifying is that, as long as they succeed in killing new victims and reuse their blood in their rituals. In theory, they can acquire infinite power if the right circumstances are given.

All of this would have made blood magic into one of the top five most dangerous forbidden magics. However, there is one more substantial thing we have yet to talk about, and this is the core factor that makes this magic into the most abhorrent one.

Blood magic is capable of transferring life itself. In other words, it can steal the life of its victims and allow its wielder to absorb it in their own body. Causing the abuser of such powers to unnaturally elongate their lives and, in essence, potentially gain eternal life. It is the only known spell on Rixa that can provenly elongate someone’s life. The price… one needs to pay for such powers is immense, however. Because the life that is stolen is not absorbed by the user equivalently. Only a fraction of it can be absorbed. Meaning that killing someone who has approximately a hundred years to live, will only add to the life of the caster around ten years.

The act of robbing an intelligent being’s entire life only to extend one’s own with a fraction of the stolen time. Is an action that could only be driven from blind greed. It’s an open disregard for the holy sanctity of life and is considered to this day as the most abhorrent and vile act of magic.

And that is why, my dear colleagues, our duty as the mages of this kingdom is to uproot and persecute any and all blood mages without pardon.

A highly classified and detailed explanation of blood magic presented by Arch mage Thuridan of the Red Tower. The weathered and somewhat dirty note provides a lifelike experience of the presentation. Going as far to offer a relatively accurate picture of the Arch mage personality.

Large spots of blood can be spotted at the bottom of the paper, giving ways to the imagination regarding the touchy subject. There might have been several failed attempts to slip the note out of the tower… nevertheless, it still got out somehow.

~oOo~

I woke up in a bed staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. The gears in my mind turned slowly, trying to figure out what happened to me and where I was. My head felt heavy, thoughts sluggy just as the rest of my body felt.

I slowly moved to sit up, my movement while slow still caused several dull and a few sharp pains to register in my mind. I hissed at the unexpected pain, but still followed through with the movements.

“What the hell did I get myself into…” — I mumbled to myself. — “This family is completely crazy…”

Memories of the encounter with that annoying woman blinked through my mind, only to feel an icy shiver from recalling the humiliating experience.

Cold sweat covered my forehead. I wasn’t sure if the movement, the pain, or the memory I recalled caused it, but I didn’t really care.

I chuckled drily to myself, while taking a breather, leaning against the backseat of the bed, which was cushioned with several pillows.

I will admit, it was partially my fault. I should not have used modern day logic on a dwarf who clearly had several issues with me from the start.

Another memory came to my mind, the words Dura said back in the kitchen. She likes you… None of your bones are broken. That should have been a good enough hint regarding that crazy woman’s personality. I should not have provoked her…

She likes you. Those haunting words sounded in my mind again, ringing several warning bells.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of those thoughts.

Oh, hell no… I seriously hope that she was mistaken. I mean… just no! Like I didn’t have enough shit worrying about goblins and slaving dark elves, now I even got molested by a random dwarf woman. My wife would never let me live this down if she ever heard about this. What the hell is going on in this world, or is this what being a woman feels like? That’s… well, that’s fucked up…

My attention was distracted by the various aches all over my body, especially the back of my head. I must have hit it against the floor or something. Well, at least I had a way to treat myself, starting with my head, then focusing to the rest of my injuries.

I silenced my thoughts, recalling the sensation and power of my healing magic. The tingling energy of warmth filling out my chest, the incantation automatically came to my lips as I began.

“By the power of light, entrusted upon me through my holy patron. I Selora command mine wound, heal!” — The now familiar warmth traveled from my chest up my right arm, its prickling fiery energy slowly gathering in my open palm. When the first ambling sparks of light appeared, I raised my palm and gently massaged it against the distinct lump that grown on the back of my head.

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Feeling the comforting warmth embracing my head was a blissful sensation. It almost immediately dispersed the sluggishness of my thoughts and simultaneously soothed my dull headache.

I could feel the tension leaving my mind. A soft, relieved sigh parted my lips as the comforting feeling of the rejuvenating energies began their slow descent across my entire body.

“Uh-huh. I could grow addicted to this feeling… Ahh-umm… It’s like a whole body massage, but better.” — Stretching my tingling limbs, I was happy to finally get rid of the numbness.

I continued the healing process for a few more minutes, placing my palm to the especially sore spots, and effectively releasing the accumulated stress and discomfort. When I was done, I felt like a newborn babe, even my skin became spotless thanks to the substantial dose of light magic treatment.

Unfortunately, I had to end the magical massage therapy, as my mana was becoming dangerously low. I cut off the mana supply, effectively ending the spell, a reluctant look lingering in my silver eyes.

“Unfortunately, that was it for now… Releasing more power would only end up biting me in the butt with a different type of headache.” — I reasoned to myself loudly for no other reason than to be able to hear the soothing elven voice of my new body.

Listening to my own voice, I couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement. — ”I will never get used to this…” — Shaking my head lightly, I recalled some of the arguments yesterday. As a result, another icy shiver quivered through my soul.

Everything felt so obvious now with a clear head. I cringed internally at the thought: I almost admitted to be a blood mage in front of the entire house. Even if my memories of the event were still cloudy, which was undoubtedly a side-effect of my recent head injury.

I pulled my knees up against my chest while attempting to hide my face in it. Effectively rolling myself into an elf ball in a vague attempt to hide from the sheer sense of embarrassment.

“What is the deal with blood magic, anyway?” — I whined, utilizing my momentary solitude to get rid of some of my accumulated frustration. — “What is the big deal about knowing some of it? It’s not like I use it carelessly, anyway.” — I mumbled to myself, rolling over to my other side.

My ears twitched suddenly, there was the sound of movement. What gave me the pause, however, was the fact that it came from inside the room.

My entire body went rigid. The blood in my veins turned cold as I slowly, very slowly lifted my head and looked towards where those sounds of soft steps originated from.

My stomach coiled in terror as my silver eyes met with the sharp blue eyes of Aria, who was towering over my body. There was a conflicted expression distorting her features and I could only notice now the cold glint of metal.

I opened my mouth to speak, but she pounced on me the moment my lips moved.

“Ugh…!”

I grunted from the added weight of the woman who was effectively pinning me to the bed. I could feel the bitter touch of a blade pressed against my neck. Gulping drily, the weight of my situation pressed down on my entire being as the cold reality crystalized in front of my eyes.

Apparently, I wasn’t alone in the room… Why didn’t I check it properly… was that also because of my head injury… my confusion…?

Damn it… I felt overwhelmed, stupid, and generally defeated at this point. Why couldn’t a single damn thing work out in my favor in this cursed second life?

I looked up, searching for the wood elf’s expression. The previous internal conflict that marred her face now have turned into grim determination. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. That’s my luck…

My dry chuckle only seemed to strengthen the woman’s determination, pressing the blade’s edge deeper into my skin.

Feeling the sharp pain, my survival instinct must have kicked in. I instinctively reached for my mana supply, only to find it drained from the previous healing session. In a panic, I tried to move, but the older elf had effectively pinned down my limbs using her arms and legs. I realized with dread that I could not escape, and with that understanding, fresh tears seemed to fill my eyes. I tried to blink them away… but there doesn’t seem to be an end for them.

Completely oblivious, thanks to my state of mind. I didn’t notice that the elf’s blade wavered in her hand as she watched the silent tears wreaking havoc across my face.

There was a pained, no, betrayed voice speaking to me. — “Why do you have to be a blood mage, you stupid girl!”

The voice was filled with so much hatred and love simultaneously that I could hardly recognize it to be that of Aria’s.

“I have made an oath.” — She continued. — “An oath to cleanse the world from dark magic, and those who wield them. Such powers bring nothing but suffering, did you not listen to the story of the Elden Orchard?” — I shook my head weakly. — “Then, tell me... why did you have to sully yourself with the worst of them all!” — The woman whispered desperately into my ears, clearly unwilling to draw any attention to our predicament. Yet I felt every word as if it was a punch into my guts.

“Answer me!” — Aria demanded.

“I… Agh…” — I tried to speak, but the spikes of pain caused by the subtle movement of my throat caused the blade’s edge to cut deeper into my skin. Making me instinctively choke on my words.

Seeing this, Aria pierced me with a threatening look. — “I will pull back the blade, but if I hear anything coming out of your mouth that even slightly resembles an incantation…” — She let the end of the sentence hang in the air ominously.

Then she slowly pulled back the knife, just enough to let me breathe, and speak, not a centimeter more.

I shook under her glare, terrified from the sight of the hovering knifes bloodied edge, which was now clearly visible in front of me. I felt a twisted tug on my insides, a furious rage, helplessness, loneliness, frustration, betrayal, all of those suppressed feelings boiling to the surface in one large package.

“You cut me!” — Those words flew from my mouth with accusing disbelief.

The elf seemed surprised by my reaction for a second. Still, it was quickly covered under her cold, disapproving glare.

“You should be happy that I didn’t kill you yet. I am already going against my oath for letting you speak!” — The woman hissed at me in a threatening whisper, but I didn’t care.

“Fuck your oath! Do you think I care!? You are trying to kill me after I saved your life! Just because I learned a type of magic!” — I cried out in indifference.

The woman seemed to be completely baffled by this for a second. Then she shook herself out of her stupor and leaned closer to my face with barely subdued anger. — “Just a type of magic?!” — She stared at me like I was some curious rodent skittering under her feet. — “You are a fucking blood mage, Selora! That is a forbidden magic, it’s practice is punishable by death in every country. Not even Dark Elves are willing to go that far.”

I shrunk under her burning gaze and the weight of those words.

“N-not… not even dark elves?…” — I whispered out those words in abject disbelief.

Aria, on the other hand, seemed to grow bolder, witnessing my reaction. — “Yes! So tell me you idiot girl!” — She snarled at me with so much disappointment in her words that I couldn’t even look into her eyes anymore. — “Why? Oh-why should I not finish you off, as my duty demands?!”

I looked to the side, feeling utterly devastated, and could only mumble half coherently. — “Uhm…didn’t know…”

There was a moment of confused silence. Then the woman erupted once again. — “What did you say?!”

I focused my gaze at the fool, shouting at her. — “Are you deaf? I didn’t know it was that much of a big deal?! Okay?!” — The woman’s face for the first time since our interaction seemed to smoothen into sheer bewilderment. — “I mean… I just learned it along with the rest so… It just looked another type of magic to me.“

There was an air of uncertainty lingering in the room.

Aria seemed to be weighing her choices for a long time until she suddenly leaned away from me. Taking the knife along with her, just to start cursing like a dwarf. — “Fuck this! Fuck, f-fuck-fuck-fuck my life! How can a girl of your age be this ignorant of the world? I-I can’t just kill a clueless child, for not knowing any better!”

I stared at the disgruntled elf walking up and down in the room.

“I am not a child.” — I said in annoyance.

The woman twirled on me. — ”You might as well be, seeing how ignorant you are.” — Her face darkened for a second then she added.

“Can’t you just appreciate the fact that I broke a four hundred-year-old oath to spare your life?” — She shook her head with impotent rage then added. — “Can you just shut it for a minute, I need to think this through.”

I rolled my eyes while trying to stem the bleeding from my freshly cut neck. — “Oh, I am feeling blessed! Thank you for not cutting my head off, like I was a fucking chicken.”

“Language young lady…” — Came the unexpected retort, to which I only laughed, but my laughter subsided when I noticed her stare.

“Are you being serious?!”

The woman gave me a long look, then said in a patronizing tone.

“I am deadly serious. It seems that the ungrateful duty falls on me once again to ingrain some sense into you, gods, and I thought my daughters were hopeless cases. Now that I have practically become an accomplice in hiding a blood mage, the least you could do is to listen to me, idiot girl.”

I blinked, then blinked again. Oh, for the love of… I am starting to think that the people of this world are just plain crazy, but I am officially done with this shit.

I rolled my eyes, still clutching my bleeding neck, and said in an intentionally annoying tone. — “Yes, mother, forgive me for sullying your ears with my vile words. Only if you wouldn’t try to cut my head off previously, we wouldn’t have this argument at all!” — I added with dripping sarcasm, then thrown a pillow at the bastard having nothing else at hand to send flying at her.

Aria sidestepped the clumsy projectile, then dropped her head and sighed. — “I am already starting to regret this.” — Thanks to that she didn’t notice the second pillow which hit her straight in the face. Causing the woman to explode in a fresh burst of anger. — “Would you cut it already? Idiot girl!?”

I froze in the middle of attempting to throw a vase at her. My face turning red with rage that mirror the blond elf’s. — “Would you stop calling me that?!”

“Not until you grow some brains first. We are in a precarious situation, all because of you being a blood mage to begin with.” — She spat at me.

“It was you who tried to cut my…” — She rolled her eyes, and flicked her hands at me.

“Would you get over it already? Now we are even at least.” — She said with an angry voice.

I froze, confused. — “What the hell are you talking about?”

She leveld her gaze at me, than hissed. — “It was not too long ago, that you let my throat to be cut if I remember correctly.”

I recoiled at the accusation. — “But!? But that was hardly my fault!” — I protested immediately, to which Aria smirked, she fucking smirked at me.

“Yes, and I didn’t cut yours in the first place, that’s why we are even!” — She said, then moved on not giving me time to think over what she said.

“Anyway, get over it, it’s not like we can change it now. We have to decide what to do onwards.” — She continued her frustrated walk, up and down in the room.

I blinked, feeling confused. I had a certain feeling that she just tricked me somehow, but was not in the right state of mind to figure out how exactly.

It was at that time, when an unexpected third voice appeared at the barely opened door.

“Is big sister Selora really a blood mage?” — Sounded the innocent voice of a little girl who was currently peaking her head into the room.

Time seemed to freeze in the wake of the innocent question.